Brick-cutting machine.



F. W. MILES.

BRICK CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mum JUNE 18,1913.

1,105,989. Patented Aug. 4, 1914 2 SHEETS-811E121 1.

WITNESSES.-

W W W ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHO, WASHING TONY D C,

F. W. MILES. BRICK CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mum JUNE 10,1013.

1, 1 05,989. Patented Aug; 4, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. 5 WITNESSES: Q1; ffg-la JNVIJNTOR.

ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS PEIERS co, PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. c.

s3 PATENT oion.

.. FRANK W. MILES, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BRICK-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 16, 1913. Serial No. 773,924. i

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, FRANK WV. Mites, citizen of the United States, residing at. St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented cer: tain new and useful Improvements in Brick- Cutting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming-a part hereof.

My invention has relation to improvements in brick-cutting machines and itcon .sists in the novel details of construction more fully set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

Inthe drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of one end of a well-known type (the Raymond) of brick-cuttingmachine showing my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation .of a portion of the. cutter-carrying frame and of the cutter-reel showing my in.- vention in position; Fig. t is an enlarged vertical cross-secti0nal detail on the line -l4- ofFig. 3; Fig.5 is a plan of the platen carryingthe impression or marking roller; Fig. 6 is a :side elevation thereof; Fig. 7 is a cross-section onthe line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is. anend view of the cam-head or wedge terminating the spindle of the marking roller, said view representing the head when the roller has been rotated or shifted from in its wrong and correct positions preparatory to markingthe bricks.

The present invention is particularly directed (though not restricted) to brick-cuttingmachines of the automatic type wherein a bar of clay is cut into bricks by means of a rotary cutter or reel provided with cutting wires,.the frame carrying the reel having a reciprocating motion parallel to the path of Patented Aug. 4, 1914.

travel of the clay bar or column, wherebym a givensect-ion of the bar is cut into a predetermined number of bricks witlreachlforward stroke of the frame. Under my invention I provide such reciprocating frameor:

member with a roller carrying a die which marks or impresses on the faces of the successive bricks socut, a suitable trademark or other identifying mark or symbol peculiar to the manufacturer of the brick, the said roller being operated by the combined movements of the advancing column. of bricks and the travel of the roller over the faces of the bricks with the backward 101' return stroke of the reciprocating frame aforesaid.

As well understood by those skilled intheZ art, the rotary movementof the cutters or wires takes place simultaneously with the rectilinear or reciprocating movement of the frame and during the forward stroke of the latter. pression roller is idle, the marking of the bricks being effected only on the return or backward stroke of the frame, the forward advance of the clay bar and cut-bricks not In such forward stroke the imbeing interfered. with. On the forward stroke the cutter-supporting frame is supposed to move in unison with the advancing bar of clay; and were this possible in practice themarkin roller which is in permanent contact wit 1 said bar would not be disturbed. In the actual operation of the 11121.

chine however, the clay bar invariably gains a on the feed-belt (owing to slippage) from a half inch to one inchand a half for a full forward stroke of the frame, and by reason of this gain the roller is disturbedor turned on its axis sufficiently (to prevent the die thereof to imprint itself centrally on the faces of the bricks to be markedon the next backward stroke; and if the marking on the first brick is off center it follows that the same defect will attend the remaining bricks of the series.

It is therefore one of the objects of my invention. to provide means for righting the roller before it begins to roll over the faces of the successive bricks, the adjusting device or rectifier by which the righting is accomplished being brought into action at the moment the bricks are severed from the clay A further object is to provide a marking roller and ree tif inm attachment therefor .V is v ness of the brick. 40

j of brick-cutting machine on the market.

which may be used on any type of brick-cup I ting machines of the general class here ,re-, ferred to, or on any type Operating on a column or bar of clay (or other material) 3 which is cut into bricks while such column 9r b s inac i n The improvement possesses further and other advantages which will be more fully apparent from a detailed description of the invention which is as follows Referring to the drawings, B represents a suitable base :on which reciprocates the cuttier-carrying frame or carriage F, the latter qbeingin the form of a yoke terminating in circular heads or housings for the gear rings 1 forming the terminals of the reel to which the cutters 2 are secured, the cutters being in the form of wiresdisposed in series radiating from a central shaft 3 supported by the I frame-heads, and havingtheir terminals secured respectively to clamps or anchors 4 fastened to the shaft, and to anchors 5 secur-ed to the bars G'carried by the gear rings 1, the parts 1, 3, 4:, 5,6, collectively consti- 1 tiltingthe f reel -."which rotates about the axis 'of'the shaft 3, the wires 2 constituting the cutters. The number of wires and the spacebetween them may always be adjusted to the width of the brick to be cut, the clay bar or column being cut either along planes corresponding to the faces of the brick, or to the sides of the brick .as in the present eX-' ample, inwhich case the distance between consecutiveiwires correspondsto the thick- Suspended loosely from the axis of the reel are hangers 7 provided with platens 8 :col lectively forming a .platformfor the support-of the brick column m, the delivery end of the frame F being provvided with an extension platform 8 which discharges the bricks m cut from the bar onto a cionveyer belt 9. The clay column or bar is fed to the-platens 8 over a platform 8- at the opposite end .of the frame, from a feed-belt 10 and rollers 11, 11. The features Iso far described (and others illustrated but not referred to) are well understood in the art constituting parts of a wellknown'type In this machine; as fully understood by those familiar withthe same, theclay column or bar we is advanced forward over the belt 10 (the material being discharged onto said belt from a suitable hopper not shown) onto the platforms 8, 8, 8 the frame F (with its ,c utters) reciprocating back and forth during such advance, the cutters 2 severing the column and cutting it into the required bricks m on each'forward stroke of the frame; that, is to say oneach forward stroke of the frame F, the cutter reel rotates a half revolution permitting one set of wires to cut the clay bar (which keeps on advancing) the reel being stationary in so ,far as its motion of rotation is concerned, during the backward eration, the forward reciprocation being necessary masmuch as the claycolumn 1s constantly advancing, and the backward reciprocation being necessary to permit the cutters to resume their position opposite the next succeeding section or portion of the uncut bar. The platens ;8 and their hangers 7 are of course properly spaced apart to permit the rotating wires 2 to pass freely between them. All this however, is well .understood in the art, being referred to hefreinin a general way for a better understanding of the invention proper.

In the present embodiment of my invention' I :mountbeneath the next to the last platen 8 on the discharge side of the frame- F, a suitable spindle 1 2, the same being secured by brackets 13 screwed to the platen, the I brackets carrying suitable wearing, 'brasses 14: held in :positioniby screwss. Dis. posed in the path of travel .of the clay col-H umn over the platencarrying the spindle 12 is formed ,an Open-a o opposite which there is mounted'on the spindle 12 a roller or cylinder 15 provided with a trademark '(I-Iy- 1 pression on the brick as the latter'passes over the roller, .or, (what amounts to the same thing) as the roller; passes along the bottom face of the severed brick.

, The periphery of the impression roller 15, is likewise provided with studs 17 adapted to engage the bottom a face of the brick to prevent slipping between the parts, a purpose quite obvious from-the drawing. At the outeriend of the spindle 12 and projecting beyond the front edge of the platen 8 supporting the spindle is a substantially cylindrical head- 18 "having opposite pairs of faces a, a, converging to an edge e, the -,edges of the opposing pairs of faces in turn divergingor making an angle with one another and convergingtoward a common groove or depression 62 disposed transversely to the plane of disposition .of the edges 6, e. Cooperating with said faces a, a, and groove or way d, in a manner presently to appear is a curved finger 19 secured through its shank.-

19 directly to the bar 6 to which the cutters 2 are anchored, there beingtwo such hooks 19, one for each set of cutters, said hooks op erating as tappets or wipers. The faces (1,0,

may be compared to thefaces of a wedge whose edge is the edge c, said faces acting as cams when engaged by, the free end .of {the column m (Fig. 13).

hook.19 as presently to appear from aldescription of the operation of the invention, which operation is substantially as follows:

It is sufficient for our purpose to know that :as the clay column m traverses the platens 8 from. left .to right (Fig. 1). the carriage or frame F by which said platens are carried reciprocates backward and forward without interfering with the advanc ing clay column, the cutters 2; severing a section of the column and cutting it up mto bricks or blocks of predetermined size with eachforward stroke of the carriage, the reel of which the cutters form a part having the necessary rotation imparted to it in such forward stroke to effect the cutting, by means of suitable gearing actuating the gear rings 1, but not necessaryhere to describe because well understood in the art. The marking roller 15 being mounted onione of the platens 8, it follows that the clay column will pass over it (or the roller under it) retation :to

on the forward stroke the clay column and frame (and hence the roller) travel uni son and no rotation can be imparted to the roller (except that due to rotary or angular displacement by the gain of the clay column as presently to beseen). It will be seen that there are two dies 16 on the marking roller at points diametrically opposite one another, the cross-section of the roller being such that startingwith one die against the center of the bottom faceof one brick, the next die willleave itsimpression on the center of the face of the next brick, andas the roller rolls clockwise over the several bricks with the backward stroke of the carriage F, the severalbricks will be properly marked, the stroke of the carriage being such as to carry the roller past the last brick marlrd and into engagement with the clay When the roller 15 occupies the position shown in Fig. 13, the frame F which carries said roller begins its forward stroke (to the right Fig. 1) at the conclusion of which the clay column is out. In this forward stroke the frameland clay columnar-e supposed to move in unison and were that possible in practice, itis apparent that the roller 15 wouldnot be disturbed (that is to say, turned about its axis) but in the actual operation: of the machine, owing to slippage between the feed-belt 10 and the clay column m, the latter gains anywhere from a fraction of an inch to over an inch and hence does not the roller. The result is that a slight turn or rotary displacement is suffered by the roller the latter turning through an angle of several degrees, and when the carriage reaches the end of its forward stroke the rotary displacement of the roller is on the order represented in Fig. 12, that is to say,

the roller being imparted only 0111 the backward stroke of the frame F, because.

keep pace with 1 the die 16 is no longer in :central engagement with the face of the severed brick which is to receive the initial mark or impression. It may be stated in passing that the gain of the column results in the formation of wedges or waste blocks m which are discarded as well understood in the art. The rotar displacement of the roller therefore, resu. ts from the differential of speed between the clay column and carriage, the column draggingthe roller with it as it were, and hence turning it sufficiently to necessitate righting or centering of the roller under the first brickbefore the carriage proceeds in its backward stroke to roll the roller under the several bricks for marking the same. The dotted position of the roller in Fig. 12 represents its correct position and is brought to said position by a turning of the roller (see arrow Fig.12)

through an angle correspondingto the displacement, by means of the rectifying wiper or tappet 19. When the roller occupies its correct or center position, the depression cl of the head 18 terminating the spindle l2 lies in the plane of rotation of the wiper 19 (Fig, 9); but when the roller is off. or has suffered displacement the headlS is turned sofas to present one of either pair of the faces a, (1 to the wiper. Thewiper rotating with the cutter-reel fouls a face a which acts as a cam or wedge, and the wiper riding over the incline of said face causes the head. 18 (and hence the roller 15) to turn (Fig. 8) about its axis until the depression (Z comes into alinement with the path of sweep of the wiper (Fig. 9). By this time the roller is righted or centered properly tothe brick on which the first mark isto be i1npressed,iafter which with the backward stroke of the carriage the roller marks the entire series of bricks, the studs 17 preventing any lost motionbetween the parts. In practice it makes no difference what degree of rotary or angular displacement the roller may suffer by reason of the gain of the advancing] clay column, since one face a or another will always be presented to the finger or wiper 19 for restor: ing the roller.

The wiper acts in point of time as the wires 2 are passing through substantially the center of the clay column, the cutting operation of course, consuming a comparatively short interval of time and taking place as the carriage is near the end of its forward stroke. The wiper emerges from the head 18 just about as the cutting is concluded or a trifle before, there being no possibility however, of angullar displacement of the marking roller at this juncture, as the gain of the column between the time the wiper may emerge from the head, and r the conclusion of the cutting operation is so slight as to be imperceptible, and hence negligible.

, ment of the member in a -'The attachment may, as quite obvious, be mounted on :any 'machine of the type here described, or onrany machine on which it could perform .like service, and moreover need {not be restricted in its application to brick-cutting machines or 'to a column of clay. The face onivvhich the trade-mark is impressed is the back of the brick.

Having described (my invention,- What I claim'is a i '1. In combination With a reciprocating member traversed in a given direction by a column of materlalto be cut, means on said member forcuttingmhe column into a series of sections with a movement ofthe member inione direction, independent supports for the severed sections carried by said meme her a marking roller on one of the supports traversing the; sections With a movement of the member in the opposite direction, and means on the member for centering the die on the roller to the first section to be marked.

2. In combination With a reciprocating member :trave'rsedin a given direction by a column of material to be cut, cutters on said member operating across the path of travel, of said column for cutting the, latter into a series ofsections with a movement of the member in the direction of the moving column, independent supports for the severed sections carried by said member a markmg roller on one of-the supports successively engaging the :facesof the sections with a movement of the member in a directlon opposed to the movement of said column and means .on the member for centeringlthe die on the'troller to the first section to be marked.

:In combination With a reciprocating member traversed in a given direction by a column of material. to be cut, cutters on said member operating across the path of-travel of said column for cutting the latter'into a series of sections With a movement ;of the member in the direction of the moving column, a marking roller on the member permanently engagingthe column for successivelymarking thesections Witha move direction opposed to the movement of thecolumn, and means .on. the member for centering the die on the roller, to the first section to be marked.

4..Incombination with a member moving alternately in opposite directions and traversed by a; column of" material in one of said directions, means on said member for cutting the column into sections transverse to the, direction .of movement of the 'material, independent supports for the, severed sections carried by said memtering'the die (5n the roller to the first section to-b e marked.

5. In a brick cutting machine, a reciproeating carriage provided With platens traversed by a clay column in a direction cor responding to oneofthe strokes of said. carriage, cutters on said carriage for sever ingthe column. into bricks in paths across the 1CllI'6Ct1OI1, of movement of the column,

a marking roller on one of the platens:

the column, and means on the carriage for,

presenting the die of the roller to the proper position against the first brick of the series.

6;]In a brick-cutting machine, a reciprocating carriage provided With platens atraversed by ac'clay column in afdirection corresponding to one of the strokes .of the carriage, :a reel rotating about a fixed axis .on the carriage and provided With Wire cutters operating between the platens, a marking roller on one of the platens {engaging the bottom faces of :the column and of the-brickswcut therefrom, a headon the spindle :of the roller, provided vWith pairs of opposing bevel faces converging to edges divergingfrom one another and forming a central transverse depression across the head, and, a Wiper on thelreel cooperating'with saidcfaces and depression for the purposeset'forth;

7. In a brick machine'having a recipr,o-,

cating member provided with platens t'lfLVf ersed in one dlrectlon by aclay column and a rotary'cutter reel mounted on the mem ber, a markingroller having a die operating through an opening of one ofthe-platens and engaging the bottom faces of the bricks, a spindle for the roller,a terminal head on the spindle havinga central transverse depression boundedby opposing pairs of bevel ios faces meeting in edges diverging from one another and from said depression, and a finger on the reel adapted to Wipe against the faces With any rotary displacement of the roller thereby righting the roller, and

pass through the depression, the rightingiofthe rollerprope'rly centering the die thereof against the face of the firstfbrick of the v series to be marked, the parts operating substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.

8.;l[n -a machinev of the character described, a reciprocat-ingmemb'er traversed by a column of material to be cut, means-on said member for severing the column into sections a marking roller on said member engaging said column and provided Witha cam-head, said cam-head being out of contact With said column, in combination with gin a rectifying member periodicallv said head, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, 1n presence of two WItIIQSSGS.

FRANK W. MILE S.

9. In a machine of the character described operating to sever a moving column into a series of bricks or sections, a rotary marking roller engaging said column prior to the cutting of the bricks and subjected to rotary Witnesses:

displacement by said column, andmeans for righting said roller toproperly present the EMIL STAREK, same to the faces of the bricks to be marked. A. W. POWELL.

Copies of this petent may be obtained forfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6.? 

